Quebec bar owners are taking their battle against the Bell Centre to court.
The bar owners association believes that it violates the Bell Centre's liquor license for alcohol to be sold when no live event is taking place in the Bell Centre itself.
During the NHL playoffs the Bell Centre has been showing the Canadiens playing hockey in another city on the arena's giant TV screens.
The association has already complained to Quebec's Regie des Alcools which ruled in favour of the Bell Centre, saying that because the game was happening live, even on television, it qualified as a live event.
Bar owners say that should not be allowed.
"If we're right, what they're doing is opening a big bar of 21,000 people and selling beer when half of the customers are minors. And this is the problem," said Peter Sergakis, the president of the Quebec Bar Owner Association.
Sergakis is worried that allowing the Bell Centre to open for NHL games sets a precedent, and will allow the arena to open for other live televised events.
“Canadiens next season they have 40 games away from home,” said Sergakis, “So if they do that with every game, we have a serious problem. They can do it with a boxing match from Las Vegas, they can do it with UFC.”
In statement, the Montreal Canadiens' VP of communications said everything was legally sound.
"It's a very simple equation: everything is legal and is being done in a proper manner, ever since the Bell Centre has been opened."
The case is expected to be heard in court at some point within the next 21 days.
